Cormorant 2021 Grenache Blanc + Marsanne, PrestonVineyards, Dry Creek Valley

Tasting notes:

Location and varietal are the critical components of this wine. Preston Vineyard, located deep in Dry Creek Valley, provides the perfect environment for the mix of Grenache Blanc and Marsanne, as long as the grapes are picked at the right time. Marsanne has a tendency to lack acidity, while Grenache Blanc grown in Dry Creek can have high acidity until the sugar levels in the fruit begin to rise. Timing the Grenache Blanc harvest was essential to ensure the wine would have the right aromas and sufficient acidity to lift the sometimes-flat Marsanne. Conversely, Marsanne’s acid profile was used to soften the Grenache Blanc. Together, the wines create a balanced wine with brightness, good body, and a variety of fresh aromas. The resulting wine features notes of papaya, candied green apple, lime, and several floral aromas. It is medium-bodied with a nice acid backbone and a pleasant 12.9% alcohol content.

Additional Info:

The wine was fermented and aged primarily in neutral French oak barrels. Fermentation was carried out with ambient yeast from the vineyard, which is the only method used for making Cormorant wines. As with all wines, the fermentation process is simple: the grapes are brought in, pressed, placed in barrels, monitored closely, and bottled when the time is right. Only a small amount of sulfites, 25ppm, was added to the wine. No other winemaking products, fining, or filtration were used in its production.